Incoming Recruiting Surge, Predicting Juniors That Will Benefit

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["646778"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677831c675156"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">5'8, 165-pound back out of St. Joseph's Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a huge year in relief of Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id='386033' first='Isaiah' last='West']. I've documented the year Billups had in previous pieces, I will use this one to talk about potential recruiting ceilings and floors. Due to how well Billups looked against elite competition all year long, a part of me feels like questions surrounding Billups's stature are alleviated in a way. Coaches will immediately shy away from prospects who don't meet certain height/weight thresholds, yet I implore coaches reading this to reconsider. The tape doesn't lie, my ranking holds true. Billups saw a 30+ jump in overall rank after tearing through defenses on his way to helping this offense function at the clip/pace it did. Another year of production like we saw this past Fall, I find it hard to believe that FCS schools wouldn't want to bring him in. I think Billups's recruiting floor is likely the FCS level, especially when you consider that his current development under the SJP umbrella makes him an easier sell than most. I'm more interested in learning if FBS coaches are willing to take a chance on him, as well as when the avalanche of opportunities will come his way. Early in 2025? Summer 2025? Will he have to prove himself again next Fall? All questions I'd love to know the answer to. I wouldn't be surprised to find out local G5s like him enough to offer at some point down the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155998"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677831c6751e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'3, 175 pounds. Is a point guard on the basketball court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A prospect who has fluctuated up and down our rankings, ranking as high as 60 and as low as 120. Prospects who place in this realm are surefire FCS prospects, prospects who have definitive FBS potential the higher up the rankings. I have gone on record in the past clamoring for coaches to make sure they have Michael McKee on radar, it looks like that has come to fruition. Visits to Holy Cross and Maryland were announced during the Fall season. With McKee, I know for a fact that coaches who have him on radar are on the same page about one thing. How well does McKee run? McKee's future likely resides based on how well he tests among 2026 peers of equal stature. There is no questioning McKee's athleticism, no question his tape/production, no questioning his versatility as a two-way football player. A hurdle coaches will even get over is that of figuring out McKee's capability to run away from DBs and/or keep up with wideouts downfield. The question is understandable from a coach's perspective. Excited to see who pulls the trigger on this stud.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Week 1-5 stats and highlights <br><br>26 receptions <br>10 total touchdowns (9 receiving, 1 kick return)<br>3 interceptions <br>17 tackles<br>4 pbu's<br>4-1 record <a href="https://t.co/1cpdu4JRsc">https://t.co/1cpdu4JRsc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRZPAvic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GAFootball1759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GAFootball1759</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155998' first='Michael' last='McKee II'] (@MickMcKee3) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickMcKee3/status/1840925380842029516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402448"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677831c675253"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'1, 185 pounds. 3.67 GPA. 45 catches for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns on the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recruiting hype has fluctuated up and down concerning all thing [player_tooltip player_id='402448' first='Jarrett' last='Kern']. His ranking has reflected this. That being said, Kern has never left the top ten at his respective position. Early into Kern's career at Susquehanna Township, he earned himself an early offer out of Akron. Since then, we haven't heard much in terms of scholarship opportunities. One would be mistaken to take that as a drop-off. I preface this by stating that Kern's tape and talent hasn't trended downward if at all, I can make an easy case that Kern has only gotten better with each rep he takes on the field. This is why I have a hard time dropping him too far on our rankings because of how good his tape can be at times. Kern is active in the Summer, visiting and working out at a ton of camps, doing what he can to make sure his name is spread across the Northeast. It's working, I might add, as I see Kern's complete package eventually landing him a spot with an FCS school in one year's time. Kern caught heat early on, yet I wouldn't be surprised to see Kern heat back up in the coming months, with teams feeling a lot more comfortable that this young man can play wideout at the Division One level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will be <a href="https://twitter.com/UConnFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UConnFootball</a> today!!! <a href="https://t.co/dvwfbaVH4S">pic.twitter.com/dvwfbaVH4S</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='402448' first='Jarrett' last='Kern'] (@jarrett_kern4) <a href="https://twitter.com/jarrett_kern4/status/1847619257959358781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854395"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677831c6752b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Recently ranked inside the top five at his position, a move up from his prior ranking. 6'4, 220 pounds. Substantial growth throughout the last couple of off-seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='854395' first='Robert' last='Novotny']'s growth on the field and his production output has likely perked up the ears of FCS coaches recruiting Philly and New Jersey. Programs would be smart to scour the St. Joseph's Prep Hudl/roster to find as many gems as they can, I know I do this periodically. SJP deploys a wealth of talent that is often 2-3 deep at any given position and time. Novotny might be getting lost in the process. I send his name to numerous coaches who are learning his name for the first time. Yes, Novotny is just coming onto the scene after an impressive junior year at Prep, yet coaches should act early on a TE prospect who is actively unoffered, yet inside the top five at his position. Novotny provides position versatility too, this should further bolster his stock. Will likely be a patience thing with him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season highlight tape! <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Roken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T_Roken</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Sug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Sug</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SJPrep_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJPrep_Football</a> <a href="https://t.co/xqEBOv258u">https://t.co/xqEBOv258u</a></p>&mdash; Rob Novotny (@RobNovotny33) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobNovotny33/status/1867329615489855754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941129"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677831c675329"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'6, 230 pounds. Coming off a State Title run in which [player_tooltip player_id='941129' first='Liam' last='Fuller']'s talents proved pivotal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='941129' first='Liam' last='Fuller'] immediately makes coach's ears perk up with one sight of him. This for obvious reasons. He fits the criteria/mold that of a Division One caliber tight end, yet we know it takes more than size to get recruited. Thankfully, Fuller is talented beyond what his measurables convey. Diving into Fuller's interest via X, there exists plenty to draw from in this area. A ton of "love" from programs like West Virginia, Coastal Carolina and some from the likes of VA Tech and Notre Dame. Fuller also received an official game day invite from Lafayette during this past Fall. The interest is tangible. Although Fuller might be ranked below [player_tooltip player_id='854395' first='Robert' last='Novotny'] on the TE totem pole, I would place a bet that Fuller sees an offer out of a Division One School before the SJP junior does. Bigger, further along in the recruiting process. We will see if what I predict comes to fruition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/tTrfx0zrkK">https://t.co/tTrfx0zrkK</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='941129' first='Liam' last='Fuller'] (@LiamFuller88) <a href="https://twitter.com/LiamFuller88/status/1848743863617212918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->